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Back to the Future

"Bourrée Fantasque", "The Steadfast Tin Soldier", "Errante", "Symphony in C"
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
April 24, 2024

by Mary Cargill
copyright © 2024 by Mary Cargill

The New York City Ballet opened it’s 75th Anniversary Spring season, subtitled “The Future”, with an all-Balanchine program of four ballets whose dates ranged from 1940’s (“Symphony in C”, 1947 and Bourrée Fantasque, 1949 ) to 1975 (“The Steadfast Tin Soldier” and “Errante”, the new name for “Tzigane”).  The future, it seems, is a moving target. But the ballets looked well-rehearsed and vibrant, auguring well for whatever the future is.

Emilie Gerrity and Chun Wai Chan in "Symphony in C" photo © Eric Baiano

A Trifecta of Premieres

"UtopiVerse", "islands", "Suite en Blanc"
The National Ballet of Canada
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts
Toronto, Canada
March 20, 2024

by Denise Sum
copyright © 2024 by Denise Sum

The National Ballet of Canada’s winter triple bill featured three exciting premieres: a world premiere, a North American premiere and a Canadian premiere. Two of the ballets, “UtopiVerse” and "islands”, were in a contemporary style. In contrast, Serge Lifar’s 1943 showpiece “Suite en Blanc” provided the tutus, pointe shoes and classical bravura that many expect from a NBoC performance. 

Emma Ouellet and Heather Ogden in "islands". Photo by Karolina Kuras.